What is your full name?
Euan Thomas
What is your postal code?
3128
Do you support recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by changing the Constitution or making some other kind of legal change?
Yes
What should the change look like?
That should be decided by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Not by non-Indigenous Australians.
Should we have a statement that acknowledges the First Peoples of Australia?
Yes. This should be in the Constitution.
Where is the best place to put it?
At the start
What should the statement say?
It needs to recognise past sufferings and crimes committed against the Indigenous people/First Peoples of Australia.
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
They were the traditional owners of the lands, or custodians of the lands
Should the word 'race' be taken out of the Constitution?
I don't know
Should the Australian Parliament keep the power to make special laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
Yes
Do you have any ideas on what new words could be used to describe that power, or where in the Constitution to put the power?
Not sure. Criminal law is a big issue for the First Peoples.
Do you have any other comments on powers to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
It must be approved by the First Peoples of Australia, not motherhood statements!
Do you think that a guarantee against racial discrimination should go into the Constitution?
Yes
Do you have any ideas about what words to use for that guarantee, or where in the Constitution to put it?
Not at the moment.
Should the guarantee protect all Australians against racial discrimination, or only Indigenous Australians?
All Australians
If there is not enough support for a guarantee in the Constitution, what other things can we do to stop racial discrimination in national laws?
A Bill of Rights for all Australians in the country.
Do you have any other comments on changing the Constitution to stop racial discrimination?
Its time for a Bill of Rights.
Do you think Indigenous people should have a say when Parliament and government make laws and policies about Indigenous affairs?
Yes
Should a new Indigenous group be set up under the Constitution to give advice and make sure Indigenous people have a voice in political decisions that affect them?
Yes
Is it worth creating the new group if it can only give advice and does not have the power to block new laws?
No
Do you have any ideas about what the new group would look like?
It should have some power to block or approve new laws against and for the First Peoples.
Do you have any other comments on this Indigenous group?
The idea of having a bloc of First Peoples in both houses of parliament should be considered. They could be either directly elected by the Indigenous people or directly appointed to the House of Reps and the Senate by either the (President of Australia) o
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
It is racist!
Is there any point in keeping it?
None what so ever.
Do you have any other comments?
I believe seats need to be set aside in the Australian Parliament for Indigenous representatives. Then the First Peoples could either select them or elect them to the positions. Thought should also be given to an agreements or treaty with the First Peopl
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual